Get Kids Reading! Check Out Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge!

Popular children’s authors are coming together to create 12 original short stories exclusively for the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge – a free, online program to help kids stay reading during the summer vacation months in order to avoid the learning loses called the “summer slide.”
This is a perfect fit for those trying to find FREE and fun ways to keep kids reading this summer.

Authors include:
· R.L. Stine

· Maggie Stiefvater and Jackson Pierce (co-authored)

· Gordon Korman

· Michael Northtrop

· Varian Johnson

· Jude Watson

· Blue Balliet

· Patrik Henry Bass

· Roland Smith

· Tui T. Sutherland

· Lauren Tarshis

· Wendy Wan-Long Shang

For more information: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/SummerReadingChallenge

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 4, 2015

This meme starts at Book Journey! My prayers continue for Sheila's family.


What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I have felt better this week although I still have a few sniffles which might be allergy related. Work is steady with a few bumps to take care of.    

I enjoyed my reading and got in some good listening.  I finished two eBooks and three audios.  I posted three reviews (two with giveaways). I also posted the usual memes. :-)

Once again I visited blogs early in the week but not later.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 20, 2015.

• Book Review and Giveaways: Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott; Historical Romance; my rating 4.25. Rafflecopter ends 5/3; Separate ebook giveaway ends 5/8/15.

• Book Review and Giveaways: The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story by Brooke Johnson; Steampunk, YA; my rating 3.75. Rafflecopter ends 5/15/15.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway May 1, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 5/7/2015.

• Audible Book Review: Trident's First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller by Stephen Templin; Military Thriller, my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #201 Comment Giveaway 5/2/15; Open Worldwide. Ends 5/9/2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement May 3, 2015.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible

The Snow Queen
Written by: Hans Christian Andersen
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
This was quick and different. I'll do a quick review later this week..
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story
by Brooke Johnson
I enjoyed the steampunk aspects of this story.
The review and tour giveaway are linked above.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One)
by A.C. James
I received this for Blog Tour and liked it.
My review will post May 6.
Book Description
Publication Date: April 29, 2015
PUCA MATES SHORT #1
*** This a not a full-length book. This novella is part one of a serial romance.***
Felicity Forrest has the perfect job as an investigative blogger for Everyday Supernatural. This curvy girl gets sent to the Aran Islands to find out whether a púca shape shifter is responsible for the strange accidents haunting a construction site.
Niall O’Leary is tall, broody, and totally alpha. His mission is to discover why the veil between the human world and the Realm has lifted. And as the Chieftain’s son he must find a mate or his twin will be promised to a stallion he despises. He has a duty to his family, his clan, and a need for offspring. Otherwise the púca could become nothing more than folklore.
Passion and frustration ignite when a curvy human female tempts his inner stallion like no other. There’s only one problem... She just got out of a relationship that left her broken hearted. Is she ready for a second chance at love?
Categories: BBW Short Stories, Two-Hour Romance Short Reads

4. Audible

StarFire: Vince Lombard, Book 1
Written by: Mike Lee
Narrated by: Jason Brenizer
I really liked this military sci fi story 
from my own Audible library.
 I will post a review this week.
Publisher's Summary
Captain Vince Lombard, G-Marine company commander, is tasked with tracking down a stray ship. The Alliance Military Ship StarFire has gone silent, and previous attempts to locate her have resulted in the loss of more ships. After two previous wars with xenospecies humanity bumped into while expanding into space, no one knows what might be the cause of StarFire's missing in action status. And internal politics between Fleet command and the Galactic Marine Corps might mean that, unless something is done, humanity may get the news it's at war with yet another new race about the time they show up to attack one of the human systems in the sector.
A prequel to the book Fey, this story is a novelization of the story Vince related to Blondie in the previous book, which many readers requested. I'm happy to accommodate my readers by providing this novel-length version of that story.
©2012 Mike Lee (P)2014 Mike Lee

5. Audible

Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella: Evan Gabriel Trilogy
Written by: Steve Umstead
Narrated by: Ray Chase
This is a free prequel and I liked this military sci fi also.
I hope to review this week too.
Publisher's Summary
Evan Gabriel wasn't always a feared and respected North American Federation Navy Commander. Before dangerous missions to the ice-bound planet of Poliahu, the deadly jungle world of Eden, and politically corrupt Mars, he was a simple recruit, fighting to make his mark in the elite Naval Special Forces…and was part of a top-secret military experiment that would change his life forever.
Zero Point tells the tale of a young man faced with difficult choices and dangerous trials. Fans of the series will see part of the mysterious past Evan Gabriel carries with him, while listeners new to the series get a preview of what is to come in a military man's haunted life. Zero Point is the true beginning of Evan Gabriel, and his story is just getting started.
©2012 Steve Umstead (P)2013 Podium Publishing

Currently reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Cassidy (Big Sky Dreams Book 1)
by Lori Wick
Ladies Book Club did meet on May 2 but not all of us had finished the book, including me.
I am enjoying the writing style
and character driven story.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP4

Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy
Written by: Debra Holland
Narrated by: Lara Asmundson
I am enjoying this sweet story from my Audible library.
Publisher's Summary
The well-educated daughter of a lawyer, Trudy Bauer arrives at the St. Louis based Mail-Order Brides of the West agency full of excitement for an adventure of a lifetime. She befriends the agency's maid, Evie Davenport, and the two form a strong and lasting friendship. They vow to stay in contact through letters when Evie takes hold of her destiny and arranges a marriage on the sly. Each brave young woman is ready to face whatever an unknown groom and life in Montana can throw her way.
In Holland's book, bride-to-be Trudy Bauer rides the train to Sweetwater Springs, in a Montana Sky Novel. In Fyffe's novel, house servant Evie Davenport travels by stagecoach to Y Knot, Montana in a McCutcheon Family Novel. Through their correspondence, the friends keep each other abreast of their hardships, trials, and tribulations - some of heartbreak, some of love.
©2013 Debra Holland (P)2014 Debra Holland

3. eBook/Kindle

The Shadow Cartel (The Dominic Grey Series)
by Layton Green
I have just started this and 
I think there will be lots of action.
I received this through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2015
The sins of the past always return…
Called upon by a former love to look into the death of a family friend in Miami, veteran investigator Dominic Grey is sucked into the darkest reaches of international narcotics trafficking. The murders of multiple drug dealers during a bizarre religious ceremony, combined with the appearance of a mythical assassin, take DEA agent Federico Hernandez and CIA operative Lana Valenciano down the same deadly path.
Lying in wait is an enemy known only as the General: a criminal mastermind whose uncanny ability to avoid detection while cowing even the most ruthless of rival cartels has made him a legend.
Thrown together on a covert manhunt, Grey and the two government agents race across the Americas to unearth a dark chapter in the history of the CIA that has spilled into the present—and put them in the crosshairs of an underworld puppeteer with a frightening reach.

I expect I will start a fourth book but I have so many to choose from I'll wait to pick. :-)

5/3/15- I am up to date on Bible reading but not the daily Devotions. I am only reading those sporadically.
I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online. -- Really enjoying my Bible reading. It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. To go a step beyond the Bible reading I am also reading Jesus Daily 365 Interactive Devotions.

May Scheduled -
5/6/15 Tour Book Review Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One) by A.C. James
No specific date: The Cancer Solution by Jack C. Westman
5/27/15 Tour Book Review Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1) by Christi J. Whitney
5/28/15 Tour Book Review The Clockwork Crown (Clockwork Dagger Novels Book 2) by Beth Cato

I posted three reviews last week which leaves four for this week - so far. :-)
I am reading another NetGalley title this week, plus I added one, which gives me five after the one I am reading. I'm thinking I will get to a TBR title this week too.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

I added three review titles and one purchase this week.
Of course I downloaded more free kindle titles to my library.
(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received this title from the author for Blog Tour review May 6.
Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One)
by A.C. James
"Passion and frustration ignite when a curvy human female tempts his inner stallion like no other. There’s only one problem... She just got out of a relationship that left her broken hearted. Is she ready for a second chance at love?"
Puca Mates Series/Serial Reading

I received this title through Audiobook Jukebox.

The Tempting of Thomas Carrick: 
The Cynster Novels, Book 21

Written by: Stephanie Laurens

Narrated by: Matthew Brenher

"What happens when fate, love, and passion collide?

The number one New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Laurens returns to Scotland with a tale of two lovers irrevocably linked by destiny and passion."

I received this through NetGalley by invitation to review.
My review will post June 30. Release date July 1.

A New Hope (Thunder Point Series)
by Robyn Carr
"Starting over is never easy, but in Thunder Point, where newcomers are welcome and friends become family, it's possible to find yourself again."

Won

None

Purchased

I purchased one Kindle title for $.99 because it really caught my inerest:

The Guardian's Angel 
by Lorrie Farrelly

Free

Over the past week I only added 42 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 3, 2015

We were short in the choir this morning but that didn’t stop us from praising!
Our substitute Sunday School teacher shared parts of a CD from Jonathan Cahn. It is called The Mystery of the Shemita Unlocked. It is very exciting and my husband will probably order a copy for us.

Our Pastor's Sermon was entitled “There is Joy in Knowing Jesus.” He noted how important relationships are with our pets, cats, dog, birds and other animals. Even more important are our relationships with people. But most important is our relationship with God and Jesus. Jesus died on the cross and his blood covers our sins. Salvation is a free gift through God’s grace. We don't have to work, in fact cannot work, for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9. We cannot save ourselves but it is our choice to receive the gift by faith. Romans 10:9. Our faith is not a matter of just fire insurance. Once we believe and accept the gift, it is our responsibility to stand on faith, walk by faith and seek righteousness, through His power.

The nature of fallen man is sin. Anyone who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17; James 2:10. Men are full of excuses that keep us in our sin. God can’t heal us or change us if we don’t acknowledge our faults and recognize our need for Him.

There is good news-- people do not go to hell for sin, but because they reject Jesus (God’s grace given in place of God’s law). When we are reborn through faith in Christ Jesus, we get a new nature - a nature of love, holiness and righteousness. We are no longer slaves to our sins. Satan wants us to live under guilt but God/Jesus does not condemn us. If we truly repent, we turn from our sinful ways and seek to live in God’s Will. When we abide in our relationship with Jesus then we can have joy in freedom from guilt and joy in the abundant blessings of assurance and peace that God bestows on His children.

Pastor ended the message with the well known hymn: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is not the hymn version but I found it and liked it.
Nothing But the Blood by Matt Redman

Verse for Today:
Romans 6:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin,

Lord, I give thanks that we live under grace and not law. I give thanks that I am not a slave to sin. Even more I give thanks for faith and relationship.

Sharing Beyond Books #201 Comment Giveaway May 2, 2015

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

I am feeling better, thank the good Lord. This was another good week at the office. I hope everyone else is doing well as we enter the fifth month of this year!

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
There were seven wonderful quotes shared. I shared from Inkheart, Mary shared from Dr. Seuss, Miki quoted from Hob Bargain, Fredamans from Art of War, Rubynreba from Wuthering Heights, Nikki form P&P (Pride and Prejudice) and poetryinleaves quoted from The BFG.
The winner from these six, who gets any book choice up to $12.00, is #4, rubynreba. Rubynreba, please comment this week what book you would like to receive.

~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #200 comments is: #10 Poetryinleaves who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #201; (One Question.)

Q1. Miki asks: What do you prefer to do with books you don't want anymore? (sell them at second hand bookstore, gift them, used them in contest etc)??

A: I think everyone here knows what I do with the books I no longer want! Many are given away at review giveaways or on Friday Pick Giveaways. Some hardback books I take to the local library or occasionally to thrift stores or boxes sent to soldiers.
I used to trade them in at a second hand bookstore where I got credit. But that store is an hour away and just keeps me replacing books instead of getting some out of my house. So it is better for me to give books away.

Image - screenshot of Friday Pick Giveaway May 1, 2015. :-)

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. Miki  asks: What do you prefer to do with books you don't want anymore? (sell them at second hand bookstore, gift them, used them in contest etc)??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the  Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday May 9, 2015 at 5 PM  central.

Audible Book Review: Trident's First Gleaming: A Special Operations Group Thriller by Stephen Templin

This is a fast-paced and engaging action thriller.
Trident's First Gleaming:
A Special Operations Group Thriller
Written by: Stephen Templin
Narrated by: Brian Troxell

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins
Release Date:09-24-14
Publisher: ListenUp Audiobooks
Genre: Military Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Former SEAL Chris Paladin leaves SEAL Team Six to become a pastor, but CIA spook Hannah Andrade pulls him back into Special Operations Group, the ultra-secret unit that SEAL Team Six operators and others served under to eliminate bin Laden. Chris and Hannah are joined by Delta Force’s Sonny Cohen to stop a new terrorist threat from launching a deadly cyber-terror against the United States.©2014 Stephen Templin Recorded by arrangement with the author c/o Trident Media Group LLC (P)2014 ListenUp Production, LLC.

Review:
Chris put his former life as a SEAL behind him and is serving as a pastor when a prior operations teammate seeks him out. Chris always like CIA spook Hannah but they could never interact socially due to their job restrictions. Chris is hesitant to be puled back into a Special Operations Group until he learns that they are seeking his help to stop an enemy well known to Chris. Chris and SEAL Team Six had captured Professor Mordet in Chris’ last assignment. Chris was close to killing the terrorist for his heinous actions, including chewing off a part of Chris’ ear, but instead he turned him over for imprisonment.

Now Professor Mordet has escaped and is believed to be involved in trying to acquire new and secret US military drone technology, known as the ‘Switchblade Whisper’. The drone has been misdirected by Mordet and is now missing. Whoever gets their hands on this technology could conceivably break through military defense security to cause havoc in military and other major infrastructure systems.

Chris agrees to step back into service for the mission. He meets with Hannah and two other operatives to fly to Afghanistan to recover the equipment. Although they retrieve the Switchblade something goes wrong. Chris is abandoned in a field filled with insurgents. Before he can reach his car it blows up when an enemy opens the door. Now Chris is seriously worried about his team mates, especially Hannah, as it appears that there has been a major betrayal.

Chris heads back to the rendevous point to find another team member dead. Chris faces off with the traitors who plan to frame him. Along the way to find Hannah, Chris runs into (literary) a strange man on a donkey. The man, Sonny, helps Chris restart the stolen van and it soon is apparent Sonny is a skilled operative. Sonny is a helpful, rascally addition who joins Chris in his escape from enemies as he continues to hunt down Hannah and the Switchblade. After plenty of action and before the story gets to its suspenseful ending, Chris has to face the extreme dark madness of his enemy.

I enjoyed the fast-paced action and conflict. Some of the escapes that Chris makes seemed a stretch but I suppose it is possible for a SEAL. He wasn’t quite a one man army but close to it. Of course, in my opinion, it helped that he had prayer support on his side. The author did a good job of putting the reader into the action and especially into the thought process as Chris dealt with the dangers, decisions and emotional conflicts of war, including how his faith in God impacted his actions. There was romantic tension between Chris and Hannah without any overt sexual scenes. I also appreciated the fact that the bad language was minimal.

I would be interested to listen to more by this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers and especially military action.

Audio Notes: Brian Troxell does a fairly good job of narration. He managed a variety of voices for the characters, especially getting distinct personalities for Jim Bob, Victor, Sonny and Mordet. I didn’t feel his interpretations were as strong for Hannah or the main character. Also there wasn’t as much intensity in the action as I felt there could have been. Still I was well engaged and am glad I listened to this on audio.

I received this title from Audible through AudioBook Jukebox for an honest review. This qualifies for my Audiobook Challenge.